International Town Criers Day

2025 Date: July 14

Brief Origin

International Town Criers Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday of July to honor the tradition, history, and role of town criers — the loud-voiced heralds of public news before the age of newspapers, radios, or the internet.

The holiday was first established in the early 1990s by the American Guild of Town Criers. It aims to preserve and celebrate the historical and cultural importance of town criers, as well as to recognize those who keep this unique tradition alive through reenactments, festivals, and competitions.

Historical Background

Who Were Town Criers?

• Town criers (also known as bellmen) date back to medieval times and were appointed by royalty, municipalities, or local governments.

• Their job was to shout out official news, proclamations, bylaws, royal decrees, and advertisements in public spaces, usually town squares.

• Town criers were a crucial form of mass communication, especially in societies where literacy was low.

• They often began their announcements with the famous cry: “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” — derived from the French word ouïr, meaning to hear.

Legal Authority

• In many places, town criers were protected by law. It was a crime to harm or interrupt a crier during an announcement.

• Their role was akin to a mobile bulletin board, town hall speaker, and emergency broadcaster all in one.

Global Reach

• The town crier tradition was especially prominent in England, Scotland, Wales, and later in British colonies, including Canada, Australia, and the United States.

• Though technology rendered the role obsolete in most places by the late 1800s, some cities have retained ceremonial town criers for special events and tourism.

Key Themes of International Town Criers Day

 1. Historical Communication

• Celebrates the pre-digital and pre-print age of public announcements and the people who made them.

• Reflects on how societies disseminated news and maintained civic order before mass media.

 2. Cultural Preservation

• Honors the continued practice of town crying through heritage festivals, reenactments, and competitions.

• Encourages historical education and interest in early forms of civic engagement.

 3. Performance and Pageantry

• Town criers were not only messengers but public entertainers known for their colorful costumes, strong voices, and often dramatic flair.

• Celebrations often include best-dressed competitions, loudest cry contests, and storytelling.

 4. Community and Local Identity

• Town criers symbolized community leadership and connection.

• The day emphasizes the role of local voices in shaping civic life and traditions.

Significance in the Modern Era

Even though town criers are largely ceremonial today, their legacy continues to hold significance:

• Educational Value: Introduces students and communities to oral history, medieval governance, and communication evolution.

• Civic Pride: Many towns in the UK, Canada, and the U.S. still appoint official town criers for parades, festivals, and official functions.

• Tourism & Events: Town criers often perform during heritage events, historical fairs, and national celebrations.

How It’s Celebrated

• Town crying demonstrations in public squares or historical landmarks.

• Historical reenactments featuring classic announcements or proclamations.

• Town crier competitions, including “loudest voice” and best “Oyez” cry.

• Costume parades showcasing traditional town crier attire — typically a tricorn hat, brass bell, and embroidered coat.

• Educational programs in schools and museums about the role of criers in history.

• Media tributes and documentaries on town crying and oral traditions.

Quick Facts Table

Aspect	Details
Name	International Town Criers Day
Date	Second Monday in July (e.g., July 14, 2025)
Founded By	American Guild of Town Criers (early 1990s)
Historical Roots	Medieval Europe and colonial towns
Purpose	Honor town criers and celebrate oral tradition and historical communication
Key Themes	Community heritage, communication history, performance, civic connection
Main Observances	Reenactments, bell-ringing, proclamations, costume contests, voice contests

Famous Town Criers in History

Name	Notable For
Peter Moore (UK)	Official London town crier until 2023
Tony Appleton (UK)	Cried announcements for royal births and weddings
James Murray (Canada)	Champion town crier known for his booming voice
Shane B. Scott (USA)	U.S. ceremonial town crier and event announcer